(CNN) — Munich’s iconic Christmas market has been canceled for the second yr in a row as a consequence of a major rise in Covid-19 instances in Germany.
“It’s bitter information that I’ve immediately for all Munich residents and particularly additionally for the stall homeowners,” Reiter stated in an announcement.
“However the dramatic state of affairs in our clinics and the exponentially growing an infection figures go away me no different selection: The Munich Christmas Market can sadly not happen this yr.”
Primarily based on Marienplatz within the coronary heart of the Bavarian capital, the standard Christmas market, which dates again to the 14th century, had been scheduled to run from November 22 to December 24, earlier than reopening on December 27 and shutting on January 9.
‘Dramatic state of affairs’
The market normally attracts round 3 million guests yearly.
Amelie Geiger/image alliance/dpa/Getty Photographs
“Anything [other than canceling] could be an unjustifiable enhance within the threat of an infection and would additionally ship out the incorrect sign,” added Reiter.
“Particularly for all workers in our clinics, who’re working at their limits. The duty now could be to keep away from giant gatherings of individuals so far as doable.”
Germany is legendary for its conventional Christmas markets, with Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt and Stuttgart’s festive honest amongst its most well-known, together with Munich’s famend market.
Round 2,500 are usually held within the nation annually, producing between €3 billion (about $3.4 billion) and €5 billion ($5.6 billion) in income in line with date from the BSM stall keepers’ business affiliation.
Whereas Munich is the primary main German festive market to be known as off this yr, questions will little doubt be raised in regards to the chance of lots of the others going forward.
It was confirmed earlier this month that Berlin’s Charlottenburg Palace market wouldn’t be going down, whereas town of Dortmund has canceled its Christmas lights ceremony.
Prime picture credit score: Alamy
Sharon Braithwaite and Stephanie Halasz contributed to this story
